Indonesia

Indonesia
In 1965 I read an article in Newsweek
a mass killing of communists,
about a million, men, women and children.
The writer of this article concluded with:
the communists had brought this slaughter
upon themselves.
But the aftermath of this atrocity still fester,
and the truth has to be told if this country
is ever to find redemption.
Today Bali is a mecca for history ignorant
tourists, who soak up the sun on a beach
that once soaked up the blood of the innocent

Post Comments

Hi Jan -
Merry Christmas to you too. I'm so glad I'll be with my daughter and her family. Nothing like waking up with the kids and watching their delight. I hope you'll have some more poems to read before then.
love,
Kathy

Dear Jan -
History ignorant myself, Sukarto was just a name I heard on TV in 65. I was 20 and knew nothing other than my small world and a few Bob Dylan songs. I read a little about these mass killings after I read your poem. I have passed by so much in my life. Reminiscent of the Third Reich.